We’re talking all things Movies & Music today with my special guests, DJ Rebekka Starr and MC Freddy Figs. Starting with their favorite genre of Hip-Hop, we discuss the history of music from the early 1970’s to today’s wildly popular Electronica (EDM) and the Top 10 DJs that rule the raves.

On a beautiful sunny day in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Tola also Talks about movies that spotlight “The Valley” including We Are Your Friends (Zac Efron) and Elektra Luxx (Carla Gugino), plus what this infamous basin is really know for: strip malls, sushi restaurants in strip malls, and of course, porn stars. We also pay tribute to the King of Hip-Hop, Eminem, and the late Adult Film Actress, August Ames, an unfortunate victim of cyberbullying. Thanks for tuning-in everyone! Peace – R

Always a blast talking with my good friend, Actor/Comedian and Producer, Barry Ratcliffe. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, Tola Talks goes into hyper-speed with the super high-energy Ratcliffe talking about his days in the 90’s working with Don Johnson on Nash Bridges, to his recent days on WGN’s gritty drama, Outsiders. Not to mention Rich’s dogmatic talk about positivity always rules over negativity, specifically as it relates to the current witch hunt for Hollywood’s sexual predators, Serena Gomez getting bashed for lip-syncing at the AMAs, and hometown heroin overdoses.

Plus there’s more including protecting the world’s endangered species and #BeKindtoElephants, fitness tips for the holidays and movies flashbacks – talking Men in Black (1997) and George Clooney’s The American (2010).

Always a great time having Cooper Phillip in the studio…she’s rocks it in person and on the radio! Learn how she seeks balance, comfort and happiness amidst the ever-so ripply waters of the music business, plus find out more about her journey from Russia to Hollywood that began seven years ago.

For all you Halloween lovers, we also talk about Vatican sanctioned exorcisms, the highest grossing film in history with 10 Academy Award nominations , The Exorcist, and of course, my most delightful “10 Most Frightful Pickup Lines”.

Not to mention we play three amazing songs from the multi-talented singer-songwriter including her new hit single, Party By Myself. Listen now:

Another great show on Columbus Day talking all things millennial with my good friend and Hollywood writer, Ben Smith.

Since moving to LA LA Land eight years ago, Ben has managed to survive by developing websites while pursing his passion as a screenwriter. He’s also become a much better writer and continues to hone his craft by taking show-runner classes at UCLA.

As a follow-up to last week’s “If I Were President”, I would raise the Federal Minimum Wage and require our unemployed receiving benefits to get their hands dirty, helping America achieve the cleanest streets in the world…no doubt!

In other news, Tola Talks Hollywood movies and gives a 5-star review to George Clooney’s The Ides of March, bestows the The Get Your Shit Together Award to a Judge in Michigan, plus “nudge” theory with this year’s winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in Economic Sciences.

Chicago, IL: Are you one of the 80 million people who want to try Yoga in 2016? If so, then “You want me on your TV!” declares Rich Tola, the world’s best Yogatainer and creator of the upcoming Reality TV series, YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous.

Yoga expert and lifelong fitness virtuoso, Rich Tola aims to teach everyone on the planet the fundamentals of the 6,000 year-old practice with his unique, workout style of Tola Yoga. “People who have never tried Yoga usually ask themselves, What is it and can I do it without getting hurt? And since Yoga involves twisting and turning the body into unfamiliar and challenging poses, or Asanas, as they’re called in the ancient Sanskrit language, you need to know the proper body mechanics as well as how to come in–and-out of difficult positions while avoiding injury,” Tola said.

And who better to motivate the masses than the world’s most handsome Yogatainer and producer of 30 fun and entertaining lessons in his Yoga Survival Guide, including Bus Stop Yoga, Traffic Yoga, Office Yoga, Shower Yoga and even Watching the Ellen Show Yoga.

Just like his precise teaching style and no-nonsense East-coast Italian energy, Rich will inspire audiences with his one simple mantra: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

“YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous will take you on a wild and witty ride throughout the streets of Chicago before traveling to capitol cities around the globe”, says Tola. “We will creatively demonstrate that anyone of any age, size or gender can reap the benefits of Yoga, as well as highlight National Landmarks and popular destinations of each metropolis while teaching Yoga to its “Almost Famous” business leaders, designers, politicians, musicians and athletes.” Plus, anyone else Rich happens to meet along the way.

Chicago, IL: Yoga expert and former Wall Street executive, Rich Tola, aims to bring his unique workout style of Tola Yoga to the world with his new Reality TV series, YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous. After 10 years of teaching Yoga to more than 25,000 students from the ages 3-to-93 in over 2,000 classes throughout the United States, Tola’s mission is to inspire audiences everywhere with his one simple mantra: Yoga…Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

“YogaStyles of RICH and the Almost Famous will take you on a wild and witty ride throughout the streets of Chicago before traveling to capitol cities around the globe”, says Tola. “Our mission is to creatively demonstrate the ability for everyone on the planet to reap the benefits of the 6,000 year-old mind-body-spirit practice of Yoga, as well as highlight National Landmarks and popular destinations of each metropolis while teaching Yoga to its “Almost Famous” business leaders and owners, designers, politicians, musicians and athletes”. Plus, anyone else Tola happens to meet along the way.

And who else better to inspire anyone who has ever asked, “What is Yoga and can I do it?”, than someone whose life was transformed by the powers of Yoga.

Upon completion of his Yoga-inspired film, Boulevard Zen (2009), Tola founded a charity to teach the benefits of Yoga to women and children survivors of domestic violence, The Boulevard Zen Foundation. Tola’s passion for Yoga is complimented by his lifelong passion for fitness…more than 50 years to be exact, combining his 40 years of weight training in gyms and health clubs around the world with his 11 years of practicing Yoga.

Tola received his MBA from The Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and looks forward to “showcasing the truly unique landmarks and neighborhoods the Windy City has to offer”.

Fun, challenging, invigorating and very tiring at times yet always a blast to film – one video required more than 50 takes – we filmed 18 Mindie music videos throughout the streets of Hollywood during the summer of 2014…every one of them using popular movie theme songs.

Can you guess the name of every movie, every theme song and every Yoga pose? Enjoy – R

For Flashback Friday I’m taking you back to December 9, 2009 and to the premiere of my Yoga-inspired film, Boulevard Zen. What a magical night that was, with super fond memories beginning with the drive over to The Silent Movie Theater with my very talented co-star and associate producer, Stephanie Drapeau. We sang our butts off to its catchy theme song, Life’s Boulevard, composed and performed by award-winning singer/songwriter, Erick Macek.

Here’s the music video with a panorama of my amazing journey in Hollywood. Enjoy – R